Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-05-28
THE NATIONAL DRILL.


The work of the Belknap Rifles, of Texas,
Yesterday, was very fine, and they moved
nearer to tactics than any company that
has yet drilled. Subsequent competitions
proved that they are strong favorites for
first place.
The San Antonio Rifles followed, but
their exercises caused considerable disap-
pointment Individual errors were very
numerous, the manual was not more than fair
and some of the foot movements were far
from satisfactory. Their better points were
loudly applauded by the crowd.
The Lomax Rifles were received with
cheers and whoops, and it was evident that
they were prime favorites. Their manual
was beautiful, but there were several faulty
wheels. In all, however, the performance
was above high average.
The event of the entire week was the
competitive drill of the three battallons,
Washington Light Infantry, Louisville LIS
giop and Rhode Island battalion, and the
scene in drill field was decidedly the most
interesting and satisfactory to the spectators
that has yet been given.
When the individual drill commenced
there were fifty mine men in line. The first
word of command took ten men cut OF line.
and the slaughter proceeded for fifteen MIN
utes, when but nineteen men remained.
Finally but three remained, and then there
was sharp struggle; it resulted in Private
H. G. Siacke, Of the San Antonio Rifles,
capturing the first prize; Sergt. Conrad, of
Co. B, Washington Light Infantry, second
Sergt. Jesse R. Wagner, of Co. A, Louisville
Legion, third Yelling comrades picked up
the winners and carried them on their
shoulders for quite while. Sergt. Conrad
was escorted to camp by the members OF bis
company.
The Washington Star in speaking of the
Alexandria Light Infantry says: The Al
exandria Light Infantry marched IN COM
pany front and came to halt in front OF
the Judges lent. They didn't drill, however,
as we'll as they looked. They wore black
trousers with red stripes, red dress coats
with double row Of brass buttons in front,
small gold epaulettes, and big bearskin caps
with swinging gold tassels They dldn
make good beginning. A gun fell several
times in stacking, and their saluteS were not
in unison. One man saluted with the
left hand when all his comrades used
their right. They marched rather un.
evenly, but showed marked improvement
in their work when they resumed their
pieces. They loaded and fired well, and
knelt and rose aud lay flat and fired in such
unison as to elicit round of applause.
Their first wheel was wheel in reality as
they formed nearly simicircle, but they
did better subsequently, They came to
company front from marching by tours in
good style, and they came up in double
quick all right The spectators were in
clined to praise them every time they de-
served it. Their blank cartridge voley
were excellent The general verdict was
that they did fairly well, taking everything
into consideration"
] The Republican says: "The Alexandria
Light Infantry came next. Their appear.
ance was a little more brilliant than their
performance. and the large Alexandria con-
tingent on the grand stand did not seem to
| be as enthusiastic after..a few commands had
( been given as they were when the red coats
marched on the field"
The camp Of the Rhode Island battalion
and of the Virginia brigade is separated on
ly by roadway Thursday night there
came near being difficulty. 4 member OF
the Rhode Island battalion attempted TO
cross the Virginia line and got into an alter
cation with guard, and was quite badly
handled. Subsequently some of the Rhode
Islanders made demonstration on the Vir-
gnia camp, but were repulsed without loss
or either side. There was a lively time
along the line until early in the morning,
but no casualties were reported.
On Sunday. religious service will be held
| by Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage at s; dress
parade at 5.
Monday-Street parade, morning; award
| o prizes and exhibition drills, afternoon ;
dress parade 5.